Study on seed dormancy mechanism and germination of Zanthoxylum dissitum Hemsl.

In order to explore the underlying mechanisms relevant to the impediment in the sexual reproduction of Zanthoxylum dissitum Hemsl. The characteristics of the dormancy and germination of its seeds is studied. The result shows that the germination inhibitors exist in the seed coat, which are believed to be main impediment to the germination. The permeability of water of the seed coat is good, but the thick and hard seed coat has hindrance function to its germination. When the seed coat peels off, it could be sprouting, so the embryo would not induce the seed dormancy. A good method to broken the seeds dormancy is that to process the seeds in 98% H2SO4 for 6 min. First, after peeling off the seed coat, dip them in 50 mg·L-1 GA3 for 5 min, then wash them in water and cultivated them in illumination box in 25 ℃. Having been finished the treatments, the percentage of the seeds germination could reach 60%.